Living in Fear: Understanding the Importance of Sanctuary Cities

by Chrisjen White

Chrisjen White

In resisting President Trump’s immigration policy, sanctuary cities across the country stand for fundamental American values. Sanctuary cities are really important because they uphold values important to America and the world and humanity. Sanctuary cities allow for better and safer cities. By looking at fundamental American values and the work of Professor Wong, I will show the vitality of sanctuary cities in the United States.

New York, a sanctuary city, refuses to assist the deportation of undocumented immigrants and gives all residents access to government services.

New York, a sanctuary city, refuses to assist the deportation of undocumented immigrants and gives all residents access to government services. Immigrants consist of 37% of New Yorkers, all working in harmony to provide a welcoming safe haven to people seeking better opportunities. Sanctuary cities are important because they maintain a respect for humanity, that is fundamental to this country.

The most important American value is freedom. Freedom is the foundation of American culture and is being threatened by our new president. Franklin D. Roosevelt advocated Americans are entitled to four freedoms: freedom from want, freedom of speech, freedom to worship any God, and most importantly freedom from fear. Now more than ever, immigrants live in fear, which goes against everything America has built and projected out to the world. These pillars are facing the danger of being shattered by President Trump’s xenophobic ideals. His threat to defund these safe havens is unjustified, since statistic shows sanctuary cities are safer and perform better than non-sanctuary cities.These cities perform better because there melting pot of different ethnicities working together and these people don’t live in fear of being deported to their home country.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivers "Four Freedoms" speech January 6, 1941

Statistics show on average “35.5 fewer crimes committed per 10,000 in sanctuary counties compared to non sanctuary counties.”

Tom K. Wong, a professor at the University of California, San Diego conducted a study comparing the performance of sanctuary cities to non-sanctuary cities. Sanctuary cities are successful cities: promoting safety and economic prosperity. Statistics show on average “35.5 fewer crimes committed per 10,000 in sanctuary counties compared to non sanctuary counties.” Citizens and immigrants develop a strong, trusting bond with police officers because their attention is on preventing crime instead of getting the federal immigration enforcement involved. Furthermore, these cities have a more substantial economy because the immigrants also are a source of labor and job creation opportunities.These immigrants contribute by providing innovation and notions that are essential to the development of the country, it will detrimental to our country to take that away.